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Celebrating VSB volunteers!

volunteer day

Today, we take an opportunity to celebrate and thank people throughout Vancouver who dedicate their precious time and talents to voluntary service supporting students.  

 

While students, their families and staff see and feel their efforts each day, today –  on International Volunteer Day – we pay special tribute to three volunteers who make school communities feel safe and welcoming learning environments. They help foster school communities where students can learn, see themselves, feel supported and connected so that they develop a love of learning and become lifelong learners.   

 

Yash Zandiyeh, volunteer basketball coach: Killarney Secondary School 
As a volunteer coach for more than 15 years, Yash has built community and engaged students on a profound level. Empathy, fair play, dedication and hard work are pillars he’s helped players develop both on and off the court. Beyond his work on the in the gym, Yash also founded BC Hoop Scoop and connected schools to support the Shoe Bank of Canada. He was also awarded the Superintendent’s Tribute in June 2023, a testament for the profound impact Yash has had with students and endorsed by the current and former players who packed the boardroom to cheer him on! One of many sports volunteers throughout VSB, Yash transcends the basketball court, supporting students to strive to meet new challenges and explore new learning and growth opportunities.  

 

Carole Shaw, literacy volunteer: One-to-One Literacy Program, Thunderbird Elementary School 

Born in northern Ireland and calling B.C. home since 1970, Carole spent more than three years helping students at Thunderbird Elementary School learn to read and discover a love of words.  The program is dedicated to ensuring every young reader in BC can succeed. Through her volunteerism, Carole works to build trust with students, share a love of reading and make learning fun! “Carole is important to me because she helped me read and she made me feel happy,” said a student who participated in the One-to-One Literacy program at the school. “She gave me books to match my interests.” Learn more about how Carole is bringing a love of reading to students at Thunderbird. (See minute mark: 13) 

 

Mami limura, school volunteer: Oppenheimer Elementary School 

Nearly 20 years ago, Mami joined the Oppenheimer community as a parent and then chair of the school’s parent advisory council (PAC). Today, she is a steadfast kind support who wears many hats at the school including supervision aide and volunteer. Her primary focus is creating a safe space where students feel cared for and valued. Mami starts her day volunteering, then jumps to supervision duties and then back to volunteer activities to close of the school day. She knows the name of all 425 students at the school, and she delivers lunches, assists teachers in classrooms and organizes spaces throughout the school. Staff say she is the “heart and soul of our school!” Learn more about Mami’s unwavering commitment to students.  (See minute mark: 33) 

 

Recognizing and celebrating volunteers’ efforts and contributions has been a long tradition here at ourVSB. To each person who lends a hand – from chaperoning events, helping with school activities, contributing to PAC activities, coaching a team or supporting students’ learning and well-being: Thank you for all you do!  

 

Check out past International Volunteer Day acknowledgements of year’s past.  

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